Speed limitPhilippines

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Philippines. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Philippines

2. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

Speed-limit and no-overtaking signs at the Tambubong underpass. (San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines)
Wikimedia.org • Judgefloro • CC0

Which general speed limits apply to cars and motorcycles in the Philippines?

Section 35 sets maxima of 80 km/h on open-country roads without blind corners or closely bordering homes; 40 km/h on designated through streets or boulevards clear of traffic and blind corners; and 30 km/h on other city or municipal streets with light traffic.

The maximum is 20 km/h on crowded streets, at blind intersections, when passing school zones or stationary vehicles, and in comparable dangerous situations.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–38; expressway controls separately

🔗 trb.gov.ph • TRB — expressway minimum and vehicle-specific maximum speed table, official indexed passages

🔗 elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph • Supreme Court — RA 2000, Limited Access Highway Act, official reference

🔗 lawphil.net • RA 2000 — full statute text reproduced by the Lawphil Project, limited-access definition and framework

Do trucks and buses have the same speed limits as cars in the Philippines?

No. Section 35 gives trucks and buses maxima of 50 km/h on qualifying open-country roads, 30 km/h on designated through streets or boulevards and other city or municipal streets with light traffic, and 20 km/h in the specified hazardous situations.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–38; expressway controls separately

🔗 trb.gov.ph • TRB — expressway minimum and vehicle-specific maximum speed table, official indexed passages

🔗 elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph • Supreme Court — RA 2000, Limited Access Highway Act, official reference

🔗 lawphil.net • RA 2000 — full statute text reproduced by the Lawphil Project, limited-access definition and framework

Can the ordinary open-country speed limit be assumed on Philippine expressways?

No. Expressways have posted limits and operating rules that vary by road, section and vehicle category. Follow the applicable expressway signs, including any minimum-speed requirement.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–38; expressway controls separately

🔗 trb.gov.ph • TRB — expressway minimum and vehicle-specific maximum speed table, official indexed passages

🔗 elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph • Supreme Court — RA 2000, Limited Access Highway Act, official reference

🔗 lawphil.net • RA 2000 — full statute text reproduced by the Lawphil Project, limited-access definition and framework

Start of a speed limit.

English • Traffic sign R4-1 • Maximum speed: 60 km/h. Do not exceed 60 km/h. Road conditions may require a lower speed.

Filipino • R4-1 • Pinakamataas na bilis: 60 km/h. Huwag lumampas sa 60 km/h. Maaaring kailanganing magpatakbo nang mas mabagal ayon sa kondisyon ng kalsada.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fliphtml5.com • LTO • Road Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings • p. 9 (pampublikong kopya)
🔗 Lto.gov.ph • LTO • opisyal na materyal
🔗 Scribd.com • DPWH • R4-1 (pampublikong kopya)

SVG source: Government of the Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways derivative work: Fry1989 eh? • Public domain • Original revision 2015-07-16. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the speed limit.

English • Traffic sign R4-2P • End of the 60 km/h speed limit. The special 60 km/h limit ends here. Follow other applicable limits and signs.

Filipino • R4-2P • Katapusan ng 60 km/h na limitasyon. Dito nagtatapos ang espesyal na 60 km/h na limitasyon. Sundin ang iba pang umiiral na limitasyon at mga karatula.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways derivative work: Fry1989 eh? • Public domain • Original revision 2018-09-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Is driving at the maximum speed always safe in the Philippines?

No. Section 35 requires a prudent speed for the conditions and enough clear distance ahead to stop. Slow further when traffic, visibility or road conditions require it.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–38; expressway controls separately

🔗 trb.gov.ph • TRB — expressway minimum and vehicle-specific maximum speed table, official indexed passages

🔗 elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph • Supreme Court — RA 2000, Limited Access Highway Act, official reference

🔗 lawphil.net • RA 2000 — full statute text reproduced by the Lawphil Project, limited-access definition and framework

Philippines

Bike path

1 Philippines 2 Speed limit 3 Bike path 4 Bridge 5 Toll road 6 One-way traffic 7 Stop sign 8 Give way 9 Pedestrian crossing 10 Railway crossing 11 Turn prohibition 12 School area 13 Overtaking 14 Curve 15 Chevron 16 Roadworks 17 Weight limit 18 Traffic lights 19 Pedestrian lights 20 Driving licence 21 Parking 22 No parking 23 Reversing 24 Uncontrolled crossroad 25 Provisional licence 26 Licence plate 27 Charging station 28 Bus 29 Police 30 Ambulance 31 Pothole 32 Path 33 Particulates 34 Air pollution 35 Rush hour 36 Road code 37 Street gutter 38 Cargo bike 39 Forestry vehicle 40 Construction vehicle 41 Semi-trailer truck 42 Trolleybus 43 Speed pedelec 44 Delivery vehicle 45 Idling 46 Tow truck 47 Four-wheel drive 48 Bicycle 49 Motorcycle equipment 50 Rail track 51 Caravan 52 Trailer 53 Tow hitch 54 Fire truck 55 Siren 56 Convoy 57 Emergency vehicle lighting 58 Agricultural machinery 59 Electric bicycle 60 Electric vehicle 61 Pedelec 62 Quadricycle 63 Microcar 64 All-terrain vehicle 65 Van 66 Recreational vehicle 67 Scooter 68 Trikke 69 Personal mobility device 70 Skateboard 71 Segway 72 Kick scooter 73 Roller skates 74 Mailman 75 Hitchhiker 76 Toddler 77 Child 78 Disability 79 Motorail 80 km/h 81 mph 82 Speedometer 83 Ride height 84 Dirt road 85 Driving 86 Start-stop system 87 Manual transmission 88 Automatic transmission 89 Throttle 90 Tachometer 91 Steering wheel 92 Power steering 93 Visual scanning 94 Mirror 95 Fuel 96 Fuel gauge 97 Petrol 98 Diesel 99 Diesel exhaust fluid 100 Car insurance ...